it's showtime!

It’s Showtime!

egent Theatreeeegent

RegentFundingBooklet4.indd 1RegentFundingBooklet4.indd 1 2/2/10 10:24:12 AM2/2/10 10:24:12 AM

5 November 2009

The Regent Theatre is an exemplary community asset that is pivotal to the entertainment and cultural life of

the people of Otago.

Throughout the years since the Otago Theatre Trust gift ed the theatre to the city aft er they successful saved

it from being demolished in 1980, they have worked closely with the Dunedin City Council in continuing to

ensure the ongoing viability of the Regent Theatre as our premier Performing Arts Auditorium. The City of

Dunedin is truly blessed that it can boast that the Regent Theatre it is the only large theatre in the province

with a proscenium arch and a full fl y tower that can host major productions of Opera, Drama, Musicals, Dance,

performing circuses, and so much more.

Volunteer input has always been crucial to the success of the Regent Theatre. More than two hundred

volunteers work as Ushers, Door Staff , Bar and Refreshments Staff , and of course throughout the year preparing

for the 24 Hour Book Sale. On average the volunteers raise around $250,000 per year towards the running of the

theatre.

The Regent Theatre currently faces a serious threat. Over the years technology has changed dramatically

so that theatres and production companies are now able to support performances with far more complex

sets and staging requirements. We now have a diffi cult situation to address as it is clear that some signifi cant

From th e offi ce of th e Mayor

RegentHandbook.indd 1 11/10/09 8:05:31 AM

Front Cover Image: Regent Th eatre Interior, David Wall Photos. Images below and opposite: Th e Star Regent Booksale 2008, Allied Press; Th ree Dancers on Drums, Camut Band from

Barcelona 2008; Festival of the Arts, Chris Sullivan – Seen in Dunedin; Royal New Zealand Ballet artists in Cinderella, Maarten Holl; II Trovatore, Southern Opera 2008; Festival of

the Arts, Chris Sullivan – Seen in Dunedin; Royal New Zealand Ballet 2008, Season of Red

A Valuabl e Community Ass et

Project BackgroundThe Regent Theatre complex comprises three buildings – the original Ross Building fronting the Octagon (1896), the

magnifi cent Auditorium (1928) and the Fly Tower and Dressing Room block built aft er purchase of the theatre by the Otago

Theatre Trust (1981).



In the twenty-eight years since the

fl y tower and dressing rooms were

built much has changed in the theatre

world. Each of the major live theatres

in New Zealand have upgraded and

modernised in the last ten years, most

recently the Civic Theatre in Invercargill

and the Opera House in Oamaru. The

Regent Theatre is the last to do so. The

number and quality of performances has

increased dramatically at those venues

following their redevelopment, and the

Regent Theatre is expected to enjoy the

same increase as a result of the successful

completion of this project.

The Trust, in partnership with the City,

conducted a feasibility study to identify a range

of issues that need proper att ention for safety and

comfort reasons. Due to the current limitations of

the theatre, Dunedin audiences are experiencing

only a fraction of the stage eff ects seen by

nationally touring shows. The redevelopment of

the Regent will allow the grandeur of our beloved

theatre to shine again and showcase the talent of

the community, the region, the nation and the

world as they all trip the light fantastic across our

stage.




Preserving Our Heritage

The Regent Theatre complex is a hidden gem in the heart of our city. Behind the façade in the Octagon is an auditorium with

one of the largest audience capacities of any theatre in New Zealand. It has been classed as a Category One building by the

Historic Places Trust. We want to restore and enhance the original features of the Auditorium and Front of House, preserving its

beauty, grandeur, and glamour as we upgrade it for 21st century standards through this re-development project.

Audience Comfort

Improvements to seating will be a key focus of this project. Continental seating in the stalls will greatly enhance the overall

ambience of the theatre for both performers and audience alike, as new premium seats will occupy what is now the centre aisle.

Current seats (most eighty-one years old) will be replaced with state-of-the-art comfort.

REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT SECTION

0 5m 10m


N

STAGE

STALLS

DRESSINGRM

DRESSINGRM

WC/SH WC/

SH

TECHRM

STAIRWELL

CO

RR

IDO

R

STOREROOM

STOREROOM

LIFT

UNISEXWC

RUN-OFFAREA

B-TRAINDELIVERY

DOOR

CL

UNISEXWC

UNISEXWC

STORAGEAREA

WINEBAR

AUDITORIUM FOYER

WCWCCLLIGHTWELL

CORRIDOR

MALETOILETS

FEMALETOILETS

MSB

LIFTTECHROOM

CL

ADJACENTTENANCY

BASEMENT

ORCHESTRAPIT

STAIRS UPTO STREET

REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT GROUND FLOOR PLAN

0 5m 10m

N

DRESSINGRM

WC/SH

WC/SH

STAIRWELL

CO

RR

IDO

R

STORE

VOID

DRESSINGRM

DRESSINGRM

WC

LIFT

WC/SH

VOID

ENTRANCEHALL

FLOWERSHOP

MAINENTRANCE

LANDING

VOID

STAIRLOBBY

LIFT

TICKETRECEPTION

MASHCAFE

MEZZANINELANDING

VOID TO BELOW

STAIRS UPTO CIRCLE

LOBBY

STORE

MALEWC

STAIRS UPTO CIRCLE

FEMALEWC

CIRCLE(refer to Second Floor

Plan for Seating layout)



VOID TO BELOW

FLAT ROOF

TECHROOM

STORAGESPACE

OC

TA

GO

N

REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT FIRST FLOOR PLAN

0 5m 10m

N

GREENROOM

LIFTSTAIRWELL

KITCHEN

STORE

WC

STAFF / CREWRM

WC

WC

KITCHEN

CO

RR

IDO

R

LIFT

FUNCTIONROOM

OFFICE

OFFICE

STAIRS

STAIRLOBBY

FUNCTIONROOM

LOBBY

VOID

CIRCLE

VOID TO BELOW

CEILING SPACE

ROOF BELOW

DIMMERRM

REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT SECOND FLOOR PLAN

0 5m 10m

N

FLYFLOOR

ROOF

STAIRWELL

FLYFLOOR

CLSTAIRLOBBY

WC

MANAGER'SOFFICE

ADMIN

CALLCENTRE

ARCHIVE

OFFICE

CO

RR

IDO

R

PROJECTIONROOM

STAFFROOM

LIFT

FLAT ROOF

OFFICE

WC



VOID TO BELOW

ROOF BELOW

STAIRS(Refer

sections)

REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT THIRD FLOOR PLAN

0 5m 10m


Our Ch all engeBackstage

Consultation with the theatre users identifi ed fundamental

issues with the existing backstage facilities, these include:

• The theatre has only twenty four counterweight lines

which assist with raising and lowering curtains and

props, backdrops and lights. Modern productions require

fi ft y or more.

• The fl ying system which is used to create the illusion of

people or equipment fl ying across the stage has a low

clearance height that is increasingly unsafe.

• The accessible space above the curtains, where the fl ying

apparatus and lighting grids are operated from, does not

meet current safety regulations.

• The batt ens supporting scenery and lighting rigs are not

wide enough and the lines securing them are considered

to be inadequate for safety reasons.

• The present fl y galleries do not meet current standards of

width, strength or loading capacity.

• The stage has subsided and is slumping in places, creating

cracks on the stage surface.

• The theatre has very limited accessible space near the

stage for sets, properties and utilities.

• The theatre requires more dressing rooms as productions

get larger and more professional.

• The basement resembles a maze where it is possible to

lose yourself in the numerous rabbit warrens of small

rooms that are of no functional use to the theatre.

Auditorium and Front of House

The main concerns identifi ed by patrons are:

• The seating is old and uncomfortable.

• The carpet is worn threadbare in places and at times

presents a risk for tripping.

• The seating arrangement allows inadequate leg room.

• The auditorium fl oors require sanding and polishing

• The plasterwork needs to be cleaned and painted as this

has not been undertaken in many years.

• The auditorium is not protected by a fi re sprinkler

system.

Dunedin has an antiquated fl ying system. Andrew Lees, Production Manager, Royal New Zealand Ballet{ }


Proposed SolutionsBackstage

Wide ranging options will future-proof the redevelopment:

• The stage will be demolished and rebuilt. Basement

storage space will be increased. The air-space above the

stage will be increased by three metres to allow scenery

cloths to be fl own out of sight of the audience.

• A modern counterweight fl ying system with

approximately sixty-fi ve lines will be installed.

• The batt ens will be lengthened to sixteen metres and for

safety reasons they will be secured by six lines.

• Three new dressing rooms at stage level will be

incorporated into the stage and storage areas.

• An additional storey will provide for extra dressing

rooms.

• Access to the fl y fl oors and grid will be by lift and stairs,

not ladders.

• A larger rise and fall apron stage and orchestra pit will be

installed.

• The entire stage area, including all dressing rooms will

be upgraded to exceed stage facility standards and safety

requirements.

Auditorium and Front of House

The overwhelming requirement here is for the comfort and

safety of theatre patrons:

• New seats will be installed throughout the theatre. In

the stalls, continental seating will provide greater leg

room. The centre aisle will be eliminated to increase the

number of quality viewing seats.

• The fl oors throughout the auditorium will be sanded and

sealed.

• The carpets will be replaced throughout the theatre.

• The ornate plaster throughout the auditorium will be

washed down and repainted where required.

• Fire protection systems, including sprinklers, will be

installed.

• All work throughout the auditorium will be in keeping

with its NZ Historic Places Trust Category 1 rating.

• Hearing Loop facilities will be incorporated.

• Accessibility issues will be appropriately addressed.

I have been nominated as the one to deliver some bad news.

We’re going to have to release our Season 2 and 3 bookings as

they are both big fl ying productions.

Meredith Dooley, Company Manager, Royal New Zealand Ballet

{ }My main concern is the state of the technical facilities, in particular, the grid, galleries, access ladders

and fl ying system. Th is area is an accident waiting to happen. I hope the theatre’s backstage facilities

can be brought up to current standards, to ensure the continued use of this magnifi cent venue.

Rob Peters, Production Manager, Southern Opera

{ }


Sponsorship OptionsIn the early seventies a group of committ ed individuals

joined forces to raise the profi le of the Regent Theatre in

the community, to prevent its possible demise. Since then

the Regent has been an irreplaceable community asset – a

jewel set in the middle of the city – maintained through the

overwhelming dedication of the people of Dunedin.

Exciting opportunities have recently been created so

that you, your family, colleagues, business or club, can be part

of what is to be the Regent Theatre’s largest development

project since it was fi rst built.

The Otago Theatre Trust is thrilled to be able to present

these diff erent sponsorship options to you. With your

continuing support we look forward to realising this vision

of our theatre’s redevelopment.

An excellent audience, can I take it with me? Peter Ustinov{ }

What a great theatre to work in. Harry Secombe

{ }

Enjoyed working the Regent. Slim Whitman{ }


Sponsorship Options cont.

Yes I/we wish to support the Redevelopment Appeal in the

following ways (please tick the box):

Become a Gold Sponsor $5,000+

Your donation as a Gold Sponsor will be acknowledged in all

Regent Theatre publications. Your name will be inscribed in

gold on the frieze encircling the foyer ceiling wall. You will

also automatically become a member of the Otago Theatre

Trust and receive all the associated privileges such as early

notifi cation of forthcoming events and touring performers.

Become a Silver Sponsor $1,001 - $4,999 Your donation as a Silver Sponsor will be acknowledged in all

Regent Theatre publications. Your name will be inscribed in

silver on the frieze encircling the foyer ceiling wall. You will

also automatically become a member of the Otago Theatre

Trust and receive all the associated privileges such as early

notifi cation of forthcoming events and touring performers.

Become a Bronze Sponsor $501 - $1,000

Your donation as a Bronze Sponsor will be recorded in our

Sponsor Board. You will automatically become a member

of the Otago Theatre Trust and receive all the associated

privileges such as early notifi cation of forthcoming events

and touring performers.

Naming Rights

To secure Naming Rights to areas within the theatre, please

contact the General Manager, Sarah Anderson on 477-6481

or email saraha@regentt heatre.co.nz.

Sponsor a seat/seats • For a donation of $500 per seat each seat sponsor

will automatically become a member of the Otago

Theatre Trust

• The names of sponsors will be permanently recorded

on plaques on the back of the auditorium seats

I/we wish to sponsor ______ (number) of seats.

I/we wish to make a cash donation_____Amount:

Please make cheque payable to Regent Theatre

Redevelopment Appeal.

Credit Card Mastercard Visa

Number

Expiry /

Credit card donations can also be made at the Regent

Theatre Booking Offi ce.

Payment OptionsTick here if you would like to split your donation equally

into one of these options:

Monthly until 30 June 2011 Other (please specify)

Correspondence/receipt information

Name

Address

Telephone

Email

Name(s) for Endowment Seat acknowledgement plaque(s) (if

diff erent to above)

To discuss your contribution:

The Regent Theatre Redevelopment Appeal

P O Box 5036

17 The Octagon

Dunedin

Telephone 03 477 6481


it's showtime!

Documents

civic theatre

large theatre

theatre world

otago theatre trust

regent th eatre interior

th e star regent booksale

city of dunedin

indd 1regentfundingbooklet4